The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-01-15
Proceedings of Congress.

Congress convened last week after the
Christmas recess, but little was done the few
days they were in session.
Last Friday the Senate adjourned over
until Monday. In the House on Saturday, the
Senate bill repeating the Tenure of Office act
was reported and placed on the calendar.
The Naval Bureau Consolidation bill was con-
sidered. The River and Harbor bill was re-
ported, ordered printed and recommitted.
1t appropriates 81, 1865, $50.
In the Senate on Monday. Mr.. Hoar, from
the Select Committee on the Centennial
Celebration; reported resolutions declaring 1t
expedient that action be taken by Congress
for the due celebration in Washington, about
April 80, 1889, of the centennial of the
adoption of the Constitution and directing
the committee to consider and propose
the best mode of celebration. The reso-
lutions were adopted. A conference was
ordered on the bill for the allotment of land
in severalty to the Indians. The Interstate
Commerce bill was taken up, and discussed
by Messrs. Beck, Cullom and Stanford.
In the House a number of bills were in
troduced and referred under the call OF
States, among them the following: By Mr..
Oates, of Alabama, making a ten years res
idence of aliens prerequisite to naturaliza-
ton; by Mr.. Morrill,, of Kansas, to put lumber
and salt on the free list and reduce the duty
on Sugar; by Mr.. Merriman, of New York,
for the purchase of John Ericsson's ''Des-
troyer," and ten enlarged steel vessels of the
same type for defending the harbors Of the
United States; by Mr.. Green, of North Caro-.
lima, ''to grade taxes on the basis of income;'
and by Mr.. Tilman, of South Carolina, tc
prevent the destruction of human life by fire
in railroad accidents. The latter bill forbids
the use, in mail passenger cars, of any
stove or heating apparatus containing infiam-
mable substance, except Illuminating gas
The bill also requires the cars to be heated by
steam and lighted by gas or electricity, and
to carry saws, hammers and other tools fol
wrecking purposes. 1t provides for the pun
ishment of railroad directors who neglect tC
observe its provisions.
In the Senate on Tuesday, Mr.. Mitchell, o.
i Pennsylvania, from the Committee Ion Pen
sions, reported back the Senate bilto equal
/ ize the pensions paid tC soldiers and sailors
who became totally disabled. Mr.. Shermar
introduced bill to reimburse the depositor:
/ of the Freedmen's Savings and Trust Com
pany for losses sustained by the failure of the
concern The sum of 81, 200, 900 is appro
| priated for the purpose. The Senate IL
secret session passed a resolution, reported by
the Committee on Foreign Relations, advising
the President to enter into negotiations witt
Nicaragua for concessions for an interoceanit
canal. The inter State commerce bill was de
bated.
In the House, the Senate amendments t.
the bill providing for g school of instruction
of cavalry and light artillery were concurret
in. The River and Harbor bill was reported
back and referred to the Committee of thu
Whole. Mr.. Oates, of Alabama, from the
Committee on Revision of the Laws, report
ed bill to prohibit the appointment of Con
gressional Committees to attend funerals al
the public expense outside the District o
Columbia, and also to pSGhihit the draping o
public buildings in mon AuSa1lui11
| opthOr;tv Of the pracidx